Missing Hocking College Student Found

A Hocking College student reported missing by his mother has been located and is physically OK, according to Nelsonville Police Chief Jason Wallace.

James Michael Stucky, 27, was reported missing by his mother Tuesday night. She told police she last had contact with him Saturday, even though they had arranged to meet Sunday at his Nelsonville residence, according to a police report. She told police he was distraught because of the death of his aunt.

Police told The Messenger on Wednesday that he had last been seen Sunday night walking on Route 56 from the Hoopla in the Hills music festival toward Athens. A news release from the Athens County Public Information Officer’s Network stated that Stucky was working security for the event.

Wallace said that police, "acting on calls from friends and other tips," believed they had located Stucky Thursday night and were able to confirm it Friday morning.

The chief declined to give details, but said Stucky is in an out-of-state medical facility and is physically alright. Wallace said police have not talked directly with Stucky, but have talked with staff at the facility.

Wallace said that after the music festival, Stucky returned to Nelsonville, then went out of state with some acquaintances. Wallace declined to specifically say where they went.

Meanwhile, Athens police as of Friday morning still had not determined the whereabouts of 21-year-old Samuel Wiater, who was reported missing March 13 by his mother.

Wiater is described as a white male standing 6-1 and weighing 175 pounds. He has a thin build with reddish-brown hair and hazel/green eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, black tennis shoes and a blue baja hoodie.

Anyone with information as to Wiater’s location can call the Athens Police Department at 593-6606.